IgE-Mediated Hypersensitivity Reactions to Cephalosporins

Cephalosporins are commonly prescribed either orally or parenterally for the treatment of bacterial infections because of wide safety margin compared with penicillins. Skin testing with a parent cephalosporin antibiotic has routinely been performed in Korea in the fear of developing anaphylaxis after the administration of a cephalosporin although penicillins are antibiotics that most commonly induce severe or life-threatening IgE-mediated reactions (anaphylaxis). In this review, we will discuss IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions to cephalosporins. Immunopathogenesis of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction to cephalosporins, limitations of skin testing with parent cephalosporin antibiotics, and prescription strategy of cephalosporins for patients with a history of cephalosporin or penicillin hypersensitivity was described.